I once had the privilege of meeting an Ambassador of Israel to a foreign country at a private party some years ago. It was the first time I met an Israeli government official. As a Malaysian this was a rare experience given that Malaysians have heavy restrictions on dealings with Israel. We spoke at length about our countries and what Israel had to offer Malaysia. It was evident that Israel has excelled greatly in turning dry arid desert areas into fertile land growing all kinds of revenue generating agricultural products. This has been offered to Malaysia before but rejected due to the sensitivity of anything Israeli in Malaysia. One thing I confirmed from that conversation is that Israel excelled in many things. And it extends beyond agriculture to science and technology. Now their technology "travels" without any government being able to stop it. This is a fulfillment of Jeremiah's prophecy.
Jeremiah 33:7-9
And I will cause the captives of Judah and the captives of Israel to return, and will rebuild those places as at the first. I will cleanse them from all their iniquity by which they have sinned against Me, and I will pardon all their iniquities by which they have sinned and by which they have transgressed against Me. Then it shall be to Me a name of joy, a praise, and an honor before all nations of the earth, who shall hear all the good that I do to them; they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and all the prosperity that I provide for it.
Be envious if you wish, but they have a special place in God's heart because of Abraham.
Even the sons of Ishmael have had a special place in God's heart because of Abraham. But I am sure all that is happening in the Middle East and elsewhere is grieving His heart big time and He foreknew it. See Genesis 17:19-22, "Then God said: “No, Sarah your wife shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his descendants after him. And as for Ishmael, I have heard you. Behold, I have blessed him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly. He shall beget twelve princes, and I will make him a great nation. But My covenant I will establish with Isaac, whom Sarah shall bear to you at this set time next year.” Then He finished talking with him, and God went up from Abraham."
But the blessing does not stop there. It is for ALL. In Genesis 12 in verse 3 God says to Abraham, "I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed". ALL the families of the earth! This is why we followers of Christ freely acknowledge that Abraham is our spiritual father, Father Abraham. Through him the promises of God are fulfilled. After all, the greatest blessing of all is His salvation for mankind coming through Jesus Christ born of a virgin in Abraham's lineage. If you are a little perplexed about all this, talk (or Call) to God about this (you are welcome to email me too).
Jeremiah 33:3
‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’
Father God, I receive them with a glad heart.
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